Drivers airbag

[Henry]

Some time ago, months in fact I was sent a recall for the B3. It then transpired that they didn’t have the parts and would contact me when they had. That day has arrived and I have received another letter saying it is the drivers airbag gas generator or air bag module. Are we talking about the steering wheel airbag? The reason I ask is that I have the steering wheel off doing a bit of a refurb. (Got an e46 m3 one fitted atm) don’t want to tip up at the dealer and be turned away.

[Fast3000]

They replaced the centre section when I had mine done. Meaning a new badge too. I did ask to keep the old one but they said they needed to send back for warranty...

[Henry]

Booked it in today, first available slot is 18/11/22. I’ll get the Alpina steering wheel fitted well before that.

[Charles]

When they did mine, they simply replaced the steering wheel airbag unit but make sure they do so with the version that has the Alpina badge in the centre.

[Henry]

Finally put the car in last Thursday only to be told Friday that the parts were wrong but they would receive them Tuesday (today) They have replaced the gas generator/airbag module. They phoned to say that the airbag light was on but dim. I asked them to fix it or return the car as received as there was no airbag light on when car was put in. They said they would do further diagnostics free of charge. Apparently they found a fault in the rear door airbag and possibly with the warning light £185 to fix. Oh and by the way on the preliminary inspection they found a ball joint on nsf with play £712 to fix. I declined their offer and collected the car, there is no airbag light on dim or otherwise, as the ball joints have less than 2k since renewed I took it straight to my MOT tester to see which one was at fault so that I could whinge to the supplier and either get a replacement or money back. Couldn’t find play anywhere. So although it is good that BMW have recalled a 23 yo car the overall experience has not been good.

[JohnW]

Warning lights are either on or off but not dim, like an alternator failure light of old that can flicker the battery light. They are almost all digital and activated from a control module, that’s another shocker from the dealer.

If the airbag module is replaced on mine I would insist on an Alpina badged item, that’s the like for like swap, not a BMW item.

[Henry]

No problem with the airbag it is Alpina badged. I just can’t understand why they said the light was on but dim when it isn’t. Likewise the ball joint. 5 years ago I had a recall on the X and was told by this dealer it didn’t effect my model, moved to Cumbria and first time I bought a spare part they informed me I had an outstanding recall which they promptly did.

[JohnW]

Yes, I’ve found Lloyds pretty good value and fair at Colne. In the past they have also hosted the BMWCCGB for nibbles etc when they have an autumn jaunt up to the Glenridding Hotel in the Lakes at their Cockermouth Dealership.